Page 1 of 1 Introduced at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, the 275 GTB is emblematic of Ferrari's practice of gradual evolution. The 275 GTB itself was a further development of the 250 GT models it replaced and during its four-year production cycle was updated several times more. It was this policy that had allowed Ferrari to win numerous races and also enabled the small Italian company to introduce a 'new' road car every couple of years.

What first caught the eye of the Paris Motor Show visitors was the 275 GTB's Pininfarina designed coupe bodywork. Clearly inspired by Ferrari's successful GT racers like the 250 GTO, it boasted covered headlights and a cut-off 'Kamm' tail for aerodynamic efficiency. Customers could specify to have the body constructed in lightweight alloy panels.

The most significant mechanical update was the adoption of a fully independent rear suspension. The rear-end also featured an integrated, transaxle gearbox, which improved the weight balance of the car. The venerable V12 engine was slightly enlarged, from 3- to 3.3-litre. As standard, the 275 GTB came with three carburettors but a high-performance, six Weber setup was available as an option.

The first major update, a subtle redesign of the body with a lengthened nose, saw the light of day in 1965. A more significant evolution came the following year with the introduction of the 275 GTB/4. As the name suggests, it featured a four-cam version of the 'short-block' V12 engine. Further improvements included the addition of a torque tube as standard equipment, which had been available as an option previously.

Ferrari also developed several competition versions of the single-cam engined 275 GTB but homologation issues prevented them from really picking up where the 250 GTO had left off. Between 1964 and 1966 an open 275 GTS was available, which shared the underpinnings with the 275 GTB Coupe but boasted a different exterior design. Towards the end of the 275 GTB/4 production, ten additional 'NART' Spiders were built especially for the American market.

Production of the 275 GTB came to an end in 1968 when it was replaced by the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, which was yet another development of Ferrari's successful GT range. The various evolutions of the 275 GTB can be easily distinguish; the single-cam, six-carburettor models have a subtle crest on the engine cover while the later 275 GTB/4 have a more distinguish hump that runs down the middle of the engine cover.

Between 1966 and 1968, Ferrari produced around 750 275 GTBs, including 280 four-cam examples. Today, the Coupes rank among the most sought after Ferrari road cars, while the very rare NART Spiders demand eight-figure prices. Page 1 of 1